The Game of Death: Chapter 3

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Note: Whenever there is this: * *, it means Jade is thinking that or hearing it in her head.

Three

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Finally the day was here. Thursday was a boring day, after I'd woken up from a night of fear. I began to think I had a phobia of burglars. I even invented a name for it: burglarophobia. That could work, couldn't it? Sometimes I wished we stayed in our old house, though, where nothing bad ever happened. Someone definitely had their mind set on this house and the little girl in it; their target was me.

I was so happy that school was almost over; I was finishing my last class. When the bell rang, I tried sprinting down the hall, but a teacher told me to stop and walk. I reached the front doors of the school and found Andrew in the front. "Have fun at Caitlin's party," he said, smiling and pulling me close.

"I wish you would go, but I understand. Hey, I'll see you Monday, okay?" I looked into his eyes dreamingly.

"Okay. Be careful with that game."

"What game? Oh, what, Monopoly? So harmful." I rolled my eyes and laughed, but Andrew's face remained serious and full of warning.

"You'll see what I mean. Please handle it with care though. I love you and I don't want to lose you." He was speaking as if that game would kill me, but I didn't believe it.

"I will. I love you, too. You won't lose me." I smiled, kissed him, and waved as I joined Hannah and Caitlin waiting in the parking lot. "So I'll see you two at 7:00 tonight?"

"Could you come at 6:00 instead? We need help setting up." Caitlin's expression easily told me she really wanted me there early. "Also, when you come, wear a dress. You know, look your best, like you're going to a formal dance."

"Okay," I said, giggling. "I will. Both. See you at 6:00." Because Mom told me she didn't have time to pick me up, I had to talk home, but I really didn't mind it. Even though gray clouds floated above me and tiny raindrops began falling, I didn't care; I loved the rain. My house was pretty far, but again, it didn't bother me.

I had about three hours before Caitlin's party, and I was almost jumping off the sidewalks with excitement. As I got closer to my house, the rain came down harder. My hair was already soaked with my clothes and backpack, but I felt free. It was like getting my energy out, knowing I had awhile to avoid my annoying sister, homework, and chores at home. Since it was daytime, I decided to go through the shortcut I met the shadow in two days ago. That way, I could see who it was if I had to.

The big oak trees above sheltered me a bit from the rain as I walked leisurely through them. This time I couldn't hear any footsteps, so I felt safe. In the corners of my eyes, though, I could see darkness. I was convinced it was my imagination-fear. I really needed to get over this burglarophobia.

By the time I safely wandered out of the trees, the rain had slowed to a drizzle. My back was beginning to ache from my backpack being so heavy, but I tried to ignore it. My house was just down the street, so I jogged the rest of the way and the heaviness didn't bother me as much

When I opened the front door and walked in, Mom called me into the kitchen. "Yeah?" I asked, coming in.

"When you get back here tomorrow, I won't be back until around midnight or so because I'll be going out with some friends."

"You've been gone almost every weekend, Mom." I frowned, crossing my arms.

"I'm off every Saturday and Sunday, Jade. I want to enjoy myself. You see me almost every day after school."

I sighed and shook my head. "Forget it." I grabbed a granola bar resting on the counter and went upstairs to my room to start getting ready for the party. On my way up, I glanced at the clock and noticed I had about three hours left before I was supposed to be at Caitlin's.

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